Well, I just traded in my 2016 Tacoma. Here's why...

Most 3.5 V6 Tacoma's don't get 20. Real world is closer to 17.

 

I get 20-21 most of the time. You have a 2005 model how do you know what "real world" is?

 

Driven them as well as know several that own them. Most of which want to trade them in as they feel it wasn't worth the money. As for my 05 I am having custom gaskets made to seal a failed OEM Toyota part.

 

I am still surprised how many non 3rd generation owners comment in the 3rd generation forum on how bad the '16 models are. I would say that an overwhelming number of '16 owners are very happy with their purchase. No truck is perfect (as you indicated in your '05 model) but far from the POS that non '16 owners are claiming they are.

 

They are no better than the outgoing model with some serious added cost. In addition many 2nd Gen parts for the 3rd Gen so I call this a Gen 2.5.

 

This. The only real improvement is the interior. Using a smaller displacement engine in a truck to save 1 or 2 mpgs seems like a waste. Toyota could have put more effort in improving the 4.0. I bet direct injection alone on the 1GR-FE would have made a worth while difference. In 2016, there's no reason why a 4.0 liter V6 can't put out 300+ HP, making the engine work less to pull around the same weight, which should increase MPGs.

If my thinking is wrong on that, then why do V8's in heavier trucks get better MPGs?

 

100% true. These new trucks do not meet CAFE requirements either. I have and drive a 3/4 ton Ram diesel that makes 20 MPG highway. I have 2 solid axles and plenty of wasteful drag working against the truck yet it has comparable MPG of the new so called 3rd Gen Tacomas.

Lack of good real world R&D testing is my opinion for the low MPG.

 

What is the price increase for the F150, Silverado, Tundra, Colorado and Titan compared to the Tacoma? I would guess to say that they all increased in price, no? For me the residual value that the Tacoma holds over the F150, Silverado, Tundra, Colorado and Titan is better than all five. Therefore yes you spend more for the 2016 over the 2015 but it holds it value better than all others. The Tacoma consistently places in the top 10 vehicles in residual value year after year and one of the few trucks in that category. So yes the price increased, especially from a 2005 to 2016 model (no kidding) but all the trucks are going up in price. Inflation, technology, cost of electronics, safety features, government mandates, etc. all have an impact on truck prices from year to year. Your truck is a 2005 which is the first year of the 2nd generation. Comparing your truck to a 2015 isn't a Gen 2 to a Gen 2.5 (like you call it) but a Gen 2 to a Gen 3. There are TONS of updates, features, safety, convenience, quality updates since your truck was manufactured 11+ years ago. You are literally comparing apples to oranges.

 

Well I'm one of the '16 owners that thinks the new tacomas are a joke ,
If Toyota doesn't fix mine soon it will be my last Toyota . My 16 gets 16-18 mpg at best and drives like a worn out jeep

 

How is it that some owners claim that their mpg is 16-18 and others say that it is 20-21 or more? Do you have a lift, larger tires, aftermarket bumpers, etc. or do you drive it like a sports car or do others drive it like a 80 year old going to church with 50 psi in the tires? I find it hard to believe that there is that big of difference in mpg within the same model.

 

Driving habits and location I suppose.

 

I will be the first to admit that I prefer the 4.0 over the 3.5 but I fail to see the horrible gas mileage that others are claiming they get.

 

I have a bone stock '16 double cab limited 4x4 auto With 7600 miles , I'm averaging 17.9 mpg for the life of the truck.
90% of the time I drive around like a little old lady .
I do a road trip from Tacoma to slc several times a year that's 1900 miles round trip , my '12 Tacoma access cab 4x4 would do the trip averaging 18-20 mpg at 75-80 mpg
My '16 on the same trip and same speeds was 15-17 mpg
With the transmission shifting every 30 seconds

 

Fuelly users track realistic mileage IMO. Both my 2GEN auto V6 see the same 17-20 spread as my 2004 V8 4.7L & 2011 V8 4.6L tundras.
The 2004 V8 was smooth as butter & my absolute favorite.

 

Fuelly shows 19 mpg as average the way I see it
http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/2016?engineconfig_id=102&bodytype_id=14&submodel_id=

 

3rd 2nd 1st gen FTW! All 3 are beasts. If you don't own one blow me. And if you're talking shit bc you read about them blow me

 

Mine is lifted with 33's at 6000ft elevation. Average 16-18 mpg closer to 16 when I go off-roading and closer to 18-19 when I don't

 

Or just bullshiters. My brother says his 5.4L F-150 King ranch gets like 20+ hwy, and 15+ average. He stretches the mpg truth a little.

If I spent 35k+ on a gutless wonder with less HP and torque than a Ridgeline then I would be saying I average 24 mpg too.

 

This engine is much more powerful and the low end torque numbers are way closer to the 1gr than people think. If you chose an auto you just got the shaft of modern automatic programming. The 4.0 would bounce between 5th and 6th same way when paired with the new auto. If you bought a manual you won, much more potent than the 1gr.

 

Bottom line... it's first year production on the gen 2.5... still has quirks to be fixed. Glad I'm not the one that has to deal with the loss, good to know though, along with everyone else's issues with the new Tacoma.

Also you lost more than you stated on your buy/trade in...

Think about the taxes on a $40k vehicle, and times that by 2... that's $8,000 just blown off. If I make a vehicle purchase brand new, you can bet I'm going to drive that damn thing for a long time to justify the taxes. People are insane to be just blowing through cars and making irrational decisions.. to each is their own.